Jacob pledges county assault on Alzheimer's

A native San Diegan and life-long Chargers fan, Dianne Jacob was re-elected to a sixth term as a county supervisor in 2012. As current board chairwoman, she delivered the State of the County speech Jan. 29, 2014.

A native San Diegan and life-long Chargers fan, Dianne Jacob was re-elected to a sixth term as a county supervisor in 2012. As current board chairwoman, she delivered the State of the County speech Jan. 29, 2014.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob said her emphasis on combating Alzheimer’s disease during her Wednesday “State of the County” address was not unprecedented.

In 1987, when she became president of the California School Boards Association, she spoke of the need to fight AIDs. Some people later told her they didn’t even know what AIDs was, Jacob recalled in an interview.

Alzheimer’s has become the third leading cause of death here, so it’s fitting that the county, as guardian of public health, get involved.

“I have a bully pulpit and I’m going to use it to raise the level of awareness,” vowed Jacob.

Her talk elaborated on marshaling resources, from caregivers to researchers, to work together on Alzheimer’s issues. Jacob told me she has not personally lost a family member to the disease.

“I applaud Dianne’s courage,” said Darlene Shiley, who was given the county’s Oscar-like “Guardian of the Water” statuette for her support of Alzheimer’s causes. Shiley said she was astounded to get a call a few days ago informing her of the award.

Lighter side: An opening film showed Jacob dressed as a deputy sheriff at a new station promising “arresting developments.” After the film, Supervisor Bill Horn introduced Jacob, ad-libbing that she “was recently released from impersonating an officer.” Sheriff Bill Gore assured reporters he had taken the bullets out of her gun (for filming).

Reaction: Horn said afterward he was especially interested in Jacob’s emphasis on the three Bs — bees, beer and burgundy — three growing industries in rural San Diego County. He quickly volunteered to lead the craft beer task force tour.

SDG&E executive Frank Urtasun was in the crowd as Jacob unveiled her energy plan to focus on providing consumers a choice of options beyond SDG&E.

Although unaware this was going to be part of her address, he agreed the county should explore what’s available. “We welcome consumer choice,” Urtasun said, noting that SDG&E offers conservation and other energy-saving options to customers.